Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken

This is the best copycat recipe for the panda express honey sesame chicken breast. It is crispy, juicy chicken breasts, covered in a delicious sauce. Then, paired with vegetables and served on rice. You cannot beat this!

If you know me, you know my top two food categories are takeout dishes and copycat dishes. Therefore, I put the two together and made some Panda Express honey sesame chicken!

The recipe can be easily doubled, tripled, quadrupled, etc. It also makes great lunch leftovers! And don’t worry, I always build in extra sauce in my recipes to pour over your rice!

I started my blog with takeout dishes and copycat recipes! You may know me from my air fryer sweet and sour chicken, orange chicken, or general tso chicken. If you are a Chick-fil-A lover, you probably know me from my copycat nuggets and sauce. These are some of my most popular recipes and my favorites! I had to combine my two favorite loves and make a copycat recipe for the Panda Express honey sesame chicken breast.

What You Need for Honey Sesame Chicken

First off, you will need an air fryer, you can use a basket type air fryer; but, I really like a rack type air fryer as well. 

Next, a couple ingredients, super simple, basic stuff. 

• Chicken tenderloins
• Soy sauce
• Egg whites
• Cornstarch
• Flour
• Breadcrumbs
• Seasonings
• Honey
• Brown sugar
• Ketchup
• Green beans
• Yellow bell pepper
• Onion (not traditional but I add them)
• Sesame seeds

Okay, it may seem like a lot, but I promise it is all worth it! However, we can also go over some suggestions and substations.

Chicken Tenderloins

I typically use chicken tenderloins when I need nuggets sized chicken, but you can use other cuts of chicken. Chicken tenderloins are already thin, so minimal cutting is required, which is why I like them. However, chicken breasts or chicken thighs can work well too. But, you can use beef, pork or even tofu if you are vegetarian. Any kind of protein will work great in this recipe. Remember to cut the chicken, or your preferable substitution, in the same size, so they are all cooked simultaneously.

Soy Sauce

I use a gluten free, low sodium soy sauce here. It will not only be used for the sauce; however, also be utilized to coat the chicken in the breading mixture. This will make the chicken super tasty!

However, you can use a regular soy sauce. But, please me mindful of the sodium content if you are not using a low sodium version.

Egg Whites

For the eggs, I do prefer liquid egg whites as it is a smoother, less clumpy consistency; however, regular eggs do work. Whisk the eggs before beginning.

Cornstarch, Flour and Breadcrumbs

Cornstarch, flour and breadcrumbs come together to form the PERFECT breading for these Panda Express honey sesame chicken bites. I love using cornstarch for takeout dishes as it makes for the best consistency.

Brown Sugar

Brown sugar replacement is a staple in my household, it is great on so many dishes. I use the Swerve brand; however, Splenda has a brown sugar blend, and, alternatively, you can use regular brown sugar.

Ketchup

Again, I use a sugar free ketchup. My favorite is from G Hughes and it is so good! However, you can use a regular ketchup, just be mindful of the added sugar.

Vegetables

Panda Express uses yellow bell pepper strips and green beans in their honey sesame chicken. I used those two and added some onion because I love onions! However, you can substitute or add any vegetables that you wish.

And don’t worry, I always build in extra sauce in my recipes to pour over your vegetables and rice!

for the slurry

What is a slurry? It is a liquid-y mixture that makes the sauce thick! It just combines corn starch with some water. Add that into the sauce, after it is made, until you reach your desired thickness. I typically do not need this; however, if you do, that is how you thicken a sauce.

How to Make The Copycat Recipe for Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken Breast

First, let's go over how to make the actual crispy chicken pieces. As mentioned, it does seem like a lot of ingredients but I promise it is so easy to make, and most importantly, so worth it.

How to Make the Chicken

Preheat the air fryer to 400 degrees, greasing the basket with cooking spray.

Start by slicing up the chicken tenderloins into bite sizes pieces, about 1 inch by 1 inch. Place those in a bowl with the soy sauce and egg whites, mixing to combine.

In another bowl, combine all the ingredients for the breading, the flour, breadcrumbs, cornstarch and seasonings.

One by one, grab a chicken piece, shaking off any excess liquid, and covering that in the breading mixture. Place that in the air fryer basket, trying not to let the pieces touch. Repeat that for each chicken piece. If multiple batches are required, do not start breading until ready to cook.

Once all the chicken nuggets are coated, place in the greased air fryer and air fry for 1 minute. Spray chicken with cooking spray (this will emulate actual frying, while keeping this sweet and sour chicken healthy) then air fry for another 3 minutes. Flip/shake the chicken and spray with cooking spray again. Air fry for another 4-6 minutes, or until thoroughly cooked.

How to Make the Vegetables

As the chicken cooks, slice the vegetables into thin strips. Grease a small pan and heat over medium high heat. Once heated, add the vegetables and sauté until slightly soft, about 5 minutes.

How to Make the Sauce

This Panda Express honey sesame chicken recipe has the absolute best sauce!

Heat a small pan over medium high heat. Add all the ingredients for the sauce together, in a small bowl. Whisk together until all the brown sugar and honey are dissolved into the liquids.

Add to the heated pan and bring to a boil. Once boiling, reduce the heat to low/low medium and let simmer until thickened.

for the slurry

What is a slurry? It is a liquid-y mixture that makes the sauce thick! It just combines corn starch with some water. Add that into the sauce, after it is made, until you reach your desired thickness. I typically do not need this; however, if you do, that is how you thicken a sauce.

Combine everything together

Once the chicken is cooked, the sauce is thickened and the vegetables have softened, add the chicken and vegetables to the sauce pan and toss to coat. Top with sesame seeds and enjoy!

I serve mine with rice, of course! You can use my instant pot rice recipe or my stovetop rice recipe to make some. But, I also highly recommend a rice cooker. And don’t worry, I always build in extra sauce in my recipes to pour over your rice!

Low Carb Ideas

If you want to make this recipe lower carb, you can skip the breading part. These Panda Express honey sesame chicken bites are amazing without breading too! Also, instead of rice, try some riced cauliflower. It is delicious with this sauce.

So, what do you think? Skipping the takeout and trying my recipe?

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Panda Express Honey Sesame Chicken

The best copycat recipe for the panda express honey sesame chicken breast.

On Weight Watchers and looking for a points value? Then, click this link and your points will be automatically calculated for you! Not all the breading ingredients will be used so I adjusted accordingly.